4 Baha’i Prisoners Released Posted: 11 Sep 2009 05:10 PM PDT The online site of Khabar Navard has reported the following on Friday, September 11, 2009, which appears below in translation: Mrs. Didar Hashemi, Mrs. Vesal Yusufi and Payam Yusufi were released from prison in Sari on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Mr. Anvar Moslemi was also released from Sari’s prison on Wednesday, September 9 after a 300,000 tuman [equivalent of US$300] surety was posted. [Posted on Friday, September 11, 2009, at Khabar Navard. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

Forced Closure of Baha’i Businesses Posted: 11 Sep 2009 01:44 PM PDT As reported previously by Iran Press Watch(IPW1, IPW2 and IPW3), on July 8, 2009, around 4 pm in the afternoon, four agents of the Information office of the Ministry of Intelligence of the city of Sari, in Province of Mazandaran, visited the optical store of Sohrab Laqa’i and detained him. The following update is provided by the online site of Human Rights Activists News Agency: According to a report by the Baha’i Committee of Human Rights Activists in Iran, towards the end of last week, agents of the Public Properties went to the optical shop of Sohrab Laqa’i, a Baha’i prisoner, and without presenting any evidence, proceeded to close and seal that business location. Afterwards, the same agents went to the shop of Mr. Laqa’i’s wife, Mrs. Zahra Golabian, and closed that business as well. It should be noted that Sohrab Laqa’i was arrested at the place of his work on July 8 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence of Sari on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” He was kept at the incarceration center of the same Ministry. After 38 days in solitary confinement in Shahid Kachouie detention center, he was transferred to the general prison facility of Qa’emshahr. Despite continual efforts of his lawyer and family, he continues to languish in prison. It should be noted that security agents had previously threatened this prisoner of conscience with the closure of his business. [Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009, at hra-news and hra-iran. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]

New Form of Discrimination Posted: 11 Sep 2009 12:50 PM PDT The following news was posted on the site of Khabar Navard and Bah19 on Tuesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 10, 2009, respectively, and appears below in translation: In Iran, even giving private language lessons by Baha’is is now a crime. Last year, security and municipality agents raided the home of Dariush Latifi in Kashan and after a thorough search of the residence, confiscated various booklets and tapes that help teach English language. Afterwards, Mr. Latifi and his wife, Marjan Abu’l-Fazli, were routinely summoned and illegally interrogated. Authorities insisted that this couple could not hold private English training classes in their home, unless they had received a special Educational and Training permit. This interrogation and harassment has intensified and escalated during the past year. However, the law indicates that no one is required to have a permit for giving private lessons. In fact, since the beginning of Islamic Revolution, when all Baha’is were discharged from governmental jobs, giving private tutorials and training is one way that Baha’is have earned a living. And now in Kashan this legal right is being violated and trampled by those responsible to uphold the law. Posted on Khabar Navard and Bah19. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]